AHL says Admirals' game-winning goal shouldn't have counted

Here is a statement from the American Hockey League Friday morning concerning the Norfolk Admirals' overtime goal against Toronto:

"American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews has issued the following statement:

“We have spoken with Toronto Marlies management and confirmed that a rules interpretation error by the on-ice officials occurred on the Norfolk Admirals’ overtime goal during Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals.

“On the play, a dump-in from center ice by a Norfolk player caromed off a stanchion and into the Toronto net. The correct application of AHL Rule 83.4 would have negated the Norfolk goal due to a delayed offside call.

“As AHL By-Laws do not allow for any change to the final result of a game based on an incorrect rule interpretation, the result of the game stands.”

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If the Norfolk Admirals are a team of destiny, as well as one of the greatest pro franchises in Hampton Roads sports history, the ending of Thursday night's game proved it.

A fluke goal 9:09 into overtime by Mike Kostka gave the Admirals a 1-0 victory in Toronto and a 3-0 lead over the Marlies in the best-of-seven Calder Cup finals.

Long after the game was over, a review of the play showed the goal should not have counted. At least one Admiral was in the offensive zone before the puck crossed the blue line, which is an offside violation. But no official noticed, and offside calls or non-calls can't be reviewed, according to American Hockey League rules.

The Admirals can clinch the AHL championship trophy by winning Saturday’s 3 p.m. game, which, like Game 3, will be shown in Hampton Roads on WGNT-TV 27.

Goalie Dustin Tokarski made 21 saves for the victory, which came oddly after more than 69 scoreless minutes.

Near the red center line, Kostka dumped the puck into a corner, and Marlies goalie Ben Scrivens went behind the net to play the expected carom. But the disc took a weird bounce into the net and went just beyond the goal line to stun the crowd of 8,084 and TV-watchers around the U.S. and Canada.